Match Preview

BIG MATCH PREVIEW

CRAY VALLEY (PM) v EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN
16th AUG 2022
PITCHING IN ISTHMIAN LEAGUE – SOUTH EAST DIVISION

By Richard J Green

After an opening day of contrasting fortunes, Valley face East Grinstead Town at the Artic Stadium on Tuesday evening looking for a better return from SE9 than last season achieved.
Points dropped in ten of their 19 home fixtures played a significant part in the Millers scraping into the end of season play-offs despite holding the second best away record, and ultimately facing a tough semi-final on the 3g surface at second placed Ashford United.
With only four members of Kevin Watson’s team still available from last season’s meeting, a much changed Valley squad will hopefully provide more firepower and creativity to break down defences such as East Grinstead – the Wasps taking one of just 12 points won on the road from their visit to Eltham in January.
After avoiding the relegation play-off spot in April, Town were dealt a blow when joint Manager Tony Beckenham left East Court in May to spearhead Erith & Belvedere’s promotion charge in the SCEFL, leaving Drew Cooney in sole charge of a position he first held when Tony Reid left the club in November 2021.
Cooney has secured the signatures of Harrison Parker and Matt Daniel from fellow strugglers Lancing in the summer, along with ex Bromley striker Tahjae Anderson from Merstham as he looks to strengthen a squad tipped for the drop among South East division fans in a close season Isthmian League poll.
A strike from Anderson on the half time whistle against Chatham Town on Saturday was sufficient to secure three points while the Wasps season got off to a winning start with a goal from Matthew Dunn strike securing a 1-0 win over Holland & Blair in the Extra Preliminary round of the FA Cup earlier this month.
Despite receiving a red card at Ramsgate on Saturday, Valley wide man Barney Williams will be available for selection on Tuesday.

SEASON 2022/23 LEAGUE FORM GUIDE

Cray Valley (PM)
L
East Grinstead Town
W

MATCH DETAILS

DATE:- TUESDAY 16th AUGUST 2021, KICK-OFF 7.45PM

VENUE:- THE ARTIC STADIUM, BADGERS SPORTS, MIDDLE PARK AVENUE, ELTHAM, LONDON, SE9 5HP

MATCH OFFICIALS :-

Referee – Abdul Olol
Assistants – Samuel Hall and Dan Tornbom

ADMISSION PRICES : - PAY BY CASH OR CARD AT THE TURNSTILE

ADULTS - £10
CONCESSIONS - £6
CHILDREN UNDER 11 – £1

PROGRAMME - £2.50

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Isthmian league SE Div

Played 3
Won 1
Drawn 1
Lost 1

LAST SEASON

GOALSHY MILLERS DRAW A BLANK

CRAY VALLEY (PM) 0 EAST GRINSTEAD TOWN 0 - 22 JAN 2022 - ATT 110

MILLERS : Northwood, Dymond © (Ibrahiym 62), Green, Semakula, Tumkaya, Gayle, Barrington (Sammoutis 90), Adeyemo, Brefo, Warren, Hill (Babalola 87)
Substitutes Not used : Day

WASPS : Ringer, Walsh, Straker (James-Lewis 82), Huckle, Green, Wilson ©, Cornwell, Briggs (Montague 65), Folkes, Battle (Brown 60), Summerfield
Substitutes Not used: Sanogo, Francis
Caution : Montague

Details of all our previous meetings with the Wasps can be found at
https://www.crayvalleypmfc.com/a/season-202223--opponents-previous-meetings-62212.html?page=9

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